The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has successfully thwarted an alleged child trafficking operation in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, rescuing three children and arresting two suspects believed to be part of a trafficking network. The operation, which has been praised as a major breakthrough in the fight against child trafficking and related crimes, was made possible through swift police action and the vigilance of community members.
According to the police, the incident began on June 3, 2026, when authorities received a distress call from a concerned citizen reporting the abduction of three children. Acting immediately on the intelligence, detectives launched a coordinated rescue operation, sealing off strategic routes and intensifying surveillance across the area to prevent the suspects from escaping with the victims.
The breakthrough came along the Ekparakwa-Uyo Road, where vigilant youths from the Ekparakwa community had reportedly mounted a roadblock after receiving information about the movement of suspected child traffickers. Their intervention helped security operatives intercept a minibus believed to have been used in the operation. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of the three missing children, who were found unharmed inside the bus and rescued before they could be taken to an unknown destination. ..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
Police identified the arrested suspects as Emmanuel Johnny, a 39-year-old man from Nsit Ubium Local Government Area who currently resides in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Ifiok Umoh, a 28-year-old native of Oruk Anam Local Government Area. Both suspects were apprehended at the scene and are currently in police custody while investigations continue. Authorities are working to determine whether they are connected to a wider trafficking syndicate operating within and outside the state.
The rescued children have since been reunited with their families, bringing relief to relatives who feared the worst following the reported abduction. The successful rescue has been widely commended by residents, who praised the cooperation between security agencies and local community members in preventing what could have become a tragic case of child trafficking.
Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, applauded the professionalism and rapid response of the operatives involved in the mission. He also commended the vigilance of the Ekparakwa youths and other residents whose timely information played a crucial role in the rescue effort. The police chief has directed a thorough and discreet investigation aimed at identifying and apprehending any other individuals linked to the criminal operation.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has urged members of the public to remain alert and continue providing credible information to security agencies. The command emphasized that community cooperation remains one of the most effective tools in combating crimes such as child trafficking, kidnapping, and other forms of organized criminal activity. Authorities assured residents that all useful information received would be treated with strict confidentiality as efforts continue to protect vulnerable children and dismantle criminal networks across the state.
